JN: Why did you choose to go to school at USM? Was your decision based mostly on academics or did you come for the running program?
RP: I chose USM for the academics and location. I like the Portland area and wanted to stay in-state, and USM also had a Political Science program of some renown that I was very interested in.
JN: How do you like running for USM? Is it an added bonus to go along with the Political Science program?
RP: Oh, yeah, definitely. You couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to push you and support you in getting better. Everyone involved with the program is so positive and so good at getting potential out of the athletes. I’m definitely proud to be a part of it.
JN: I’ve heard some good things about the team this year. Has the team lost a lot of talent? Overall how do you think the team is looking this year?
RP: Well, I think an indicator of where we’re at is that we received our first national ranking in school history in the Pre-season Coaches’ Poll this year. We actually lost no one from last year’s top 7 to graduation; we’ve just had some injuries. We’re hoping for the best year in school history, but not letting it get to our heads either. We’re just trying to keep working hard and stay focused.
JN: What would you say the main goal is for the team as a whole this year?
RP: Goal number one is to qualify for Nationals as a team. There isn’t a better measure of the depth of a team than to become a Nationals qualifier, and that would be a huge step forward in what our program is capable of. We also want to be in the top 5 at the New England Regional, which will be held in Cumberland, Maine, so we’d love to see tons of USM’ers there because it’s the most important race of the year and it’s on our home course.
JN: Last but not least, I know you went through an injury last year and I know those aren’t the easiest things to come back from. What have you done to come back stronger? Do you think you’ve become a better runner from all the hard work you put into making a comeback?
RP: Oh man, well, I’ve been out of running for a year so it’s definitely taken a lot of work to get to where I am now. Luckily, USM has a strong athletic training and rehab program, and that which they can’t do, they can outsource. So I’ve been lucky in that regard, that I’ve gotten above average care for a college athlete.
I think that I’ll be better in the long run because not being able to run has allowed me to focus on other little things that make you a better runner in the long run, pun intended.
The key now is to stay healthy until I get into racing shape.
JN: Thanks Riley, and good luck.